Anode material and battery using the same

Abstract

An anode material capable of improving cycle characteristics, and a battery using the anode material are provided. A disk-shaped cathode contained in a package can and a disk-shaped anode contained in a package cup are laminated with a separator in between. The anode includes an alloy or a compound including iron in addition to at least either tin or silicon. The ratio of iron in the alloy or the compound is preferably about 15% by mass or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the alloy or the compound further includes chromium in an amount of less than 1500 ppm by mass.

1. An anode material, comprising:
 an alloy or a compound including iron and chromium in addition to at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and silicon, wherein the chromium is present in an amount of from about 50 ppm by mass or more to about 500 ppm by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       2. The anode material according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 0.1% by mass or more to about 15% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       3. The anode material according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 10% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       4. The anode material according to  claim 3  wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 8% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       5. The anode material according to  claim 1 , wherein the anode material includes a powder of the alloy or the compound. 
     
     
       6. The anode material according to  claim 5 , wherein the powder of the alloy or compound has an average particle size of about 10 μm to about 30 μm. 
     
     
       7. The anode material according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the alloy or compound further comprises an element selected from the group consisting of cobalt and copper. 
 
     
     
       8. A battery, comprising:
 a cathode; 
 an anode; and 
 an electrolyte, 
 wherein the anode comprises an anode material, and the anode material comprises an alloy or a compound including iron and chromium in addition to at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and silicon, and wherein the chromium is present in an amount of from about 50 ppm by mass or more to about 500 ppm by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       9. The anode material according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 0.1% by mass or more to about 15% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       10. The anode material according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 10% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       11. The anode material according to  claim 10  wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 8% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       12. The anode material according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the anode material includes a powder of the alloy or the compound. 
 
     
     
       13. The anode material according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the powder of the alloy or compound has an average particle size of about 10 μm to about 30 μm. 
 
     
     
       14. The anode material according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the alloy or compound further comprise an element selected from the group consisting of cobalt and copper. 
 
     
     
       15. An anode material, comprising:
 an alloy or a compound consisting essentially of iron, chromium, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and silicon, wherein the chromium is present in an amount of less than about 1500 ppm by mass. 
 
     
     
       16. The anode material according to  claim 15  wherein the iron is included in an amount of from about 8% by mass or less. 
     
     
       17. The anode material according to  claim 15 , wherein the chromium is present in an amount of from about 50 ppm by mass or more to about 500 ppm by mass or less. 
     
     
       18. An anode material, comprising:
 an alloy or a compound consisting essentially of
 iron, chromium, 
 an element selected from the group consisting of cobalt and copper, and 
 at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and silicon, 
 
 wherein the chromium is present in an amount of less than about 1500 ppm by mass. 
 
     
     
       19. A battery, comprising:
 a cathode; 
 an anode; and 
 an electrolyte, 
 wherein the anode comprises an anode material, and the anode material comprises an alloy or a compound consisting essentially of iron, chromium, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and silicon, and the chromium is present in an amount of less than about 1500 ppm by mass. 
 
     
     
       20. The anode material according to  claim 19  wherein
 the iron is included in an amount of from about 8% by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       21. The anode material according to  claim 19 , wherein
 the chromium is present in an amount of from about 50 ppm by mass or more to about 500 ppm by mass or less. 
 
     
     
       22. A battery, comprising:
 a cathode; 
 an anode; and 
 an electrolyte, 
 wherein the anode comprises an anode material, and the anode material comprises an alloy or a compound consisting essentially of
 iron, chromium, 
 at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and silicon, and 
 an element selected from the group consisting of cobalt and copper, and 
 
 wherein the chromium is present in an amount of less than about 1500 ppm by mass.